What does it mean to be a “Host Family”?
There is no exact definition of a Host Family. Just as our society and culture has a diverse definition of “Family”, so it is reflected in the Host Family. What we seek in a Host Family are people who have a kind heart, a compassionate nature, a warm personality, and a desire to build a better world, one international friendship at a time. Hosts provide a home in which English is the primary language spoken by all members of the family. Students in English speaking homes improve their English skills significantly faster than students in non-English speaking homes, and this is one of the primary reasons students choose to live in a homestay.
What are the duties of a Host Family?
There are 3 hosting categories, each with their own responsibilities:
1. Host Family: Welcome and accept your international student as a member of the family. Eat dinner with them at least 5 times per week, do at least one non-routine activity per month, have food available for them to prepare for breakfast, lunch and remaining dinners. Hosts provide a student with a private, furnished room with a bed, desk, closet/ drawer space, and high speed internet access, and an environment for English language learning (English must be the primary language spoken in the home at all times. Students need to speak English, but also hear English on a regular basis). Must live within a 45 minute bus ride to the Ft. Steilacoom campus. Other duties are outlined in the contract, handbook, and orientations.
2. Welcome family: All the same duties as a host family, but for only a 4-6 week duration. This is a great opportunity to build a friendship with an international student without making a long commitment! Students choose this option so that they can learn about the area for 4-6 weeks as they transition into their own apartment.
3. Room for Rent: Provide a safe, friendly, warm environment with a furnished room, desk, lamp, high speed internet access, and closet/drawer space. Utilities must be included. Although this option is for the more independent student, hosts must assist students in the acclimation to the area by showing them where to buy groceries, ride the bus, etcetera.
How long is the commitment?
Welcome Hosts commit for 4-6 weeks. These hosts help students become acclimated to our area as the transition into an apartment.
Homestay Hosts commit to 3 months or longer. It is not uncommon for a student to stay in the same homestay for the duration of their studies (1 year +). However, the first 3 months is a trail period for both the students and the Host Family.
Room for Rent Hosts commit to 3 months or longer.
Do Host Families receive compensation?
For Host Families and Welcome families, students pay hosts a $600 per month stipend to offset the costs of hosting them. Hosts who fulfill their responsibilities to their hosted students know that this is not a profit venture. The stipend is set so that Hosts do not face financial hardship by hosting a student, however they do not benefit financially either. Hosting is a choice you make for the sole purpose of building and international friendship and for the great experience that it is!
Students pay room for rent only hosts $450 per month and utilities must be included.
What Countries do the students come from?
Our students come from all over the world, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Eastern Europe, Turkey, South America, central America, and many more places!
Do hosts have to go through any kind of screening?
Yes, all persons in the household over the age of 18 must have a clean criminal history. In addition, if the host has hosted students in the past, student or host company references are helpful. In addition hosts must agree that they live in an English speaking household and that they and all members of the family desire to host a student, and have the personality for the task.
Is the host family the legal guardian or sponsor for the student?
No! Hosts are not legal guardians of the students. Many of our students are over the age of 18. Those students who are under the age of 18 will have medical waivers on file from their parents or legal guardians in their own country. Hosts are instructed to never sign on behalf of a student for ANYTHING.
I am ready to Host, how do I get started?
If you are ready to get started, email the Housing Coordinator at housing@pierce.ctc.edu with your contact information, the housing program you are most interested in, and your home address. Someone will contact you within 2 days with your next steps.
